Category Archives: romantic suspense

Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: Bonded: The Cavanaugh Brothers by Laura Wright

image

Bonded: The Cavanaugh Brothers by Laura Wright

Publication Date: September 1, 2015

image

imageThe New York Times bestselling author of Brash returns to the Triple C Ranch in River Black, Texas, for more cowboys, romance, and danger…

Ranch hand Blue Perez’s once simple life is spinning out of control. He’s discovered he has three half-brothers, and they’re not ready to accept his claim on the ranch. Also, Blue’s girlfriend may have betrayed him in the worst way possible. And after one evening of drowning his sorrows at the bar, there’s someone he can’t get out of his mind, a woman who says she’s carrying his child.

Following a night of breathtaking passion in the arms of a man who now rules her dreams, waitress Emily Shiver is contemplating her next step. Blue is determined to be a part of her life, yet she would rather raise the baby on her own. But when she becomes the target of someone’s dark obsession, Emily must let Blue in—to both her heart and her future.

imageI love this series so much and this fourth and final book in Laura Wright’s Cavanaugh Brothers series answers all the questions involving the murder of the Cavanaugh brothers’ sister. Bonded is a story of intrigue, loss and love. I loved every minute of it and fell even more in love with Blue. He struggles to work through all the pain he’s going through and at times I wanted to shake him but he overcomes everything that’s been thrown at him. The chemistry and romance between Blue and Emily was hot and I enjoyed their interactions. If you’ve been reading this series from the beginning you’ll enjoy the conclusion and if you’re haven’t read them yet you should start at the beginning because there is a mystery that spans the series. I highly recommend this sizzling cowboy series.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

image

IMG_3307-0

“I want you to know,” he began. “I’m here for you and this baby.”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything.
“Things started how they did,” he continued, “and that can’t be changed. Hell, wouldn’t want it changed. But like I said last night, I want to be around.”
“I know, Blue.”
What was that? he wondered. In her eyes? Sadness? Worry? He was trying like hell to alleviate some of that. “Not just a few hours here and there either.” His gaze dropped, momentarily settling on her flat stomach. “I want to see it grow. I want to feel it move.”
She released a breath. Weighty. And a sudden softness touched her expression. “I would like that, Blue.”
A bit of her hair had escaped her braid and was sort of covering one eye. She looked so damn beautiful. Without thinking, he reached up and tucked the strand behind her ear, then let his fingers drift down her cheekbone. She had the softest skin.
Her breath caught and she leaned into his touch.
His eyes searched hers. “What? What’s wrong?”
“How do we do this? You? Me? The baby?”
His nostrils flared and his chest expanded. “We’ll figure it out.”
She didn’t say anything.
“Yeah?” he prodded. He needed to know she believed him.
She nodded, her cheeks going pink again. He couldn’t help himself. He ran his thumb over that cheek once again. Oh, yeah. Softest goddamned skin on the planet. Christ, he wanted to kiss her. Just a taste. The bottom lip . . . that full one . . . just one taste; then you let her go. Without thinking too hard on it, he leaned in. Right away, she closed her eyes. Parted her lips. Pink and full, and so ready. Blue stared at her mouth. Seconds ticked by. What was wrong with him? The breeze off the meadow came rushing into the barn. The Triple C’s barn. Shit, what was happening to him? His entire body humming with a need he hadn’t felt since that night . . . that night they’d created the life inside Emily.
Overtaken with far too many emotions he refused to deal with – not now anyway – Blue eased back, releasing her.
Instantly, Emily opened her eyes. And when she realized what had happened—and what hadn’t—she turned bright red.
Blue’s chest tightened. He was such an ass. He wanted to kiss her. Like a drowning man wanted air. And she’d wanted him too. So what was he doing pulling back?
She moved away from him. “I should go.” Her voice was slightly breathless.

image Kindle: http://amzn.to/1LMi3Sk
Amazon PBK: http://amzn.to/1SIZfUH
B&N: http://bit.ly/1GVTSzM
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1MFPG7K
iBooks: http://apple.co/1ErxXx8

image ✦Book 1: Branded ➢ Kindle | B&N | Kobo | Review 5 Stars
✦Book 2: Broken ➢ Kindle | B&N | Kobo | Review 5 Stars
✦Book 3: Brash ➢ Kindle | B&N | Kobo | Review 5 Stars
✦Book 4: Bonded ➢ Kindle | Amazon PBK | B&N | Kobo

image

Paperback Copy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

image imageNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Laura Wright is passionate about romantic fiction. Though she has spent most of her life immersed in acting, singing and competitive ballroom dancing, when she found the world of writing and books and endless cups of coffee she knew she was home. Laura is the author of the bestselling Mark of the Vampire series and the USA Today bestselling series, Bayou Heat, which she co-authors with Alexandra Ivy.

Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two young children, and a menagerie of pets.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Books

Review: Primal Force: A K-9 Rescue Novel by D.D. Ayres

image

Primal Force: A K-9 Rescue Novel by D.D. Ayres

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense

Publication Date: September 1, 2015

image
imagePassion is always worth fighting for…

Jori Garrison trains dogs for Warrior Wolf Pack, which provides service animals for disabled veterans. Four years ago, she was wrongly convicted of a crime-thanks to her no-good ex- fiancé. Now she just wants to live her life in peace with her beloved dogs. No men, no complications. But it’s hard to play it cool when a lethally hot male is on her tail-and the attraction is fierce, mutual, and dangerous….

Lauray “Law” Batisse is a Military Police veteran who was wounded in Afghanistan. Haunted by the loss of his K-9 partner in combat, he’s reluctant to accept a service dog named Samantha into his life. But once he meets her trainer-the gorgeous Jori Garrison-he can’t fight his primal instincts. And neither can Jori. This sexy alpha male might be the only man strong enough to unleash her desires. And when unseen enemies start hunting them down, he and his new K-9 partner might be her only hope…to survive.

image

I liked Law and Jori from the start and couldn’t help but get caught up in the steamy hot romance as well as everything going on around them. Getting Sam’s perspective on things was an added bonus that I enjoyed very much. I think D. D. Ayres wrote a well-rounded story so that the danger and excitement did not overwhelm the budding relationship of not only Law and Jori but Law and Sam as well. It made me laugh, tear up and get tense. I loved it.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

IMG_3308 Kindle | Amazon PBK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

image

K-9 Rescue Series by D.D. Ayres
1. Irresistible Force ➢ Review | Kindle | Amazon PBK | B&N | Kobo
2. Force of Attraction ➢ Review | Kindle | Amazon PBK | B&N | Kobo
3. Primal Force ➢ Kindle | Amazon PBK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

image imageA veteran author of romance and women’s fiction, D.D. Ayres is new to Romantic Suspense. She believes the lure of romance is always the human connection. Put that connection in physical jeopardy, and and we learn a bit more about who we really are.

With her K-9 Rescue series, D.D. hopes you will enjoy her sexy, suspenseful portrayals of K-9 teams at their best. D.D. lives in Texas with her husband and a soft-coated Wheaten terrier named Zoe.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: As Lost as I Get by Lisa Nicholas

image

As Lost as I Get by Lisa Nicholas

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: August 18, 2015
Publisher: Berkley Intermix
Print Length: 72k
Format: Digital ONLY

IMG_3306 imageFrom the author of The Farther I Fall comes an action-filled romance in which two lovers discover that the best thing about being lost is having someone find you…

CIA operative Lee Wheeler is glad to be back in the field, even if the assignment is at a backwater station in Colombia—what he considers punishment for crossing lines in an attempt to save his brother’s life. Either way, he’s ready for action. But he never could have predicted the action he’s about to get…

Doctor Zoe Rodriguez is in charge of a clinic in a tiny town on the edge of the rain forest. She’s still dealing with a traumatic experience she had in Mexico—a trauma she wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for Lee. So when they unexpectedly cross paths again, unresolved wounds rise to the surface, and their mutual passion flares to life.
But when a new threat reveals itself, Lee and Zoe’s reunion takes on echoes of the past that may ruin their chance for a future.

image

$2.99 Kindle | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

image As soon as the guards left the room, the man rose to his knees and leaned over, shaking the hood off. He was definitely a tourist. His dark hair was cropped close and gleaming; she couldn’t tell if it was dark brown or black. He had the same expensive look as his jeans. His fair skin was clear and clean shaven with just a hint of shadow, and he had the sort of profile she’d only ever seen on a movie or television screen. He wouldn’t be here long. Either he had a family with money or he worked for a company that would want him back.
She realized he was giving her the same level of scrutiny, and felt a small rush of fear. They were both bound, so surely he couldn’t hurt her, but there was something dangerous in his eyes.
Which is why she didn’t expect them to soften the way they did. “Zoe Rodriguez?”
She was too startled to answer, but just nodded.
He glanced toward the locked door and pushed himself to a crouch, the movement oddly graceful. She fought not to flinch when he came over to her. “My name’s Lee Wheeler. I’m with the CIA. I’m going to get you out of here.”
The sudden lump in her throat caught her by surprise. She tried to keep her face schooled as she studied him. There was no trace of anything but sincerity in his blue eyes. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“You don’t.” He flashed a quick, humorless grin. “I’m not precisely carrying my credentials at the moment.” Another careful look over his shoulder. “Trust me until we’re out of here, and I promise I’ll show you all the proof you need.”
Zoe’s throat ached and her eyes were stinging. She would not cry in front of a stranger, but the relief was threatening to overwhelm her. “Why?” she said. “I mean, I’m nobody.”
“Médecins International doctor, working as an emergency surgeon in a refugee camp in Oaxaca—that doesn’t sound like nobody to me.” He started to say something else but froze, then threw himself over to where the guards had initially pushed him.
The hood.
Talks With Fists came in with the filthy bucket that served as a toilet, then dropped it, cursing and yelling at Lee to close his eyes. Lee did, but the guard cuffed him across the cheek before pulling the hood over his head again.​

*********

Other Books from Lisa Nicholas:

THE FARTHER I FALL 

IMG_3306

imageSometimes when you fall, you land just where you need to be…

Gwen Tennison got out of Afghanistan alive but scarred–and then got stuck on her sister’s couch. When she’s offered a job managing the U.S. tour for rock music’s hottest, most troubled star, it seems like just the thing to snap her out of her post-injury funk. Her instructions are simple: start the shows on time, and keep him clean.

But Lucas Wheeler may be more than she can handle. Though he’s drug-free, he still feels the need, and his gorgeous, capable new tour manager is a challenge he can’t ignore. Fame and infamy have forced Lucas to protect his heart, but soon he finds himself craving Gwen’s touch, and yearning to give her control. And Gwen might feel the same way.

But it’s not just the mutual heat between them that is keeping Gwen on her toes. Someone is following Lucas from city to city. With more than just her job on the line Gwen must decide how much she’s willing to risk to keep Lucas safe.

image

Kindle | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

IMG_3312-0

a Rafflecopter giveaway

imageLisa Nicholas is the author of The Farther I Fall. If she’s not writing, she’s feeding her story addiction any way she can: raiding Netflix, pillaging her local bookstore and library, and (most recently) tearing her way through the comics archive at Marvel.

image

Social Media Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: Too Hard To Handle by Julie Ann Walker

image

image

Hi everyone! Julie Ann Walker here, delighted to be talking today about my mad love for men on motorcycles whose hearts happen to be as big as their… ehem… hogs. (That’s slang for their bikes! Get your heads out of the gutter, you naughty readers! *wink, wink*)

But seriously, from the King of Cool, Steve McQueen, to Marlon Brando in The Wild One, to Charlie Hunnam in Sons of Anarchy, there has always been something about a guy riding around with rolled steel and a V-Twin engine between his legs. It sets our hearts aflutter. And in my Black Knights Inc. series, I try to take those badass bikers to a whole new level by also making them covert government operators. The series is all spies on bikes, leather and chrome, romance and redemption, action and adventure. So, what’s not to love? Nothing! I guarantee it.

Read on for an excerpt of TOO HARD TO HANDLE. You’ll see the men of Black Knights Inc. have heart, humor, and everything a woman could want in a man…

image

IMG_3307-0

“Luke Winterfield,” Dan growled. “Under the authority granted to me by the government of the United States of America, I hereby inform you that you’re totally screwed. You made a choice to sell out your country and now you’re gonna face the consequences. Reap the whirlwind, asshole.”

“Nice,” Zoelner said. “Have you been holding on to that one for a while?”

“Came up with it in Bogotá,” Dan admitted, a definite grin in his tone.

“I like it.”

“Thought you might.”

“Really though,” Zoelner went on, “I was expecting some quote from Ted Nugent or Eminem.”

“I can come up with my own material, you know,” Dan insisted. “It’s just I like to give credit to my hometown whenever I can. To make up for the place getting such a bad rap.”

“Maybe it’s because so much bad rap has come out of there,” Zoelner mused. “Insane Clown Posse comes to mind.”

“Hey,” Dan whispered urgently, “don’t say that too loud. You’ll have groups of juggalos beating down your door.”

Zoelner snorted.

“And just so you know,” Dan went on, “what I’ve learned out of this lifetime is you should be proud of where you come from.”

“I’m waiting…”

“Kid Rock said that. Via his Twitter account.”

“And there it is.”

***

image

Too Hard To Handle by Julie Ann Walker

Release Date: September 1, 2015
Genre: Romantic Suspense

IMG_3306 “The Man” is back

Dan “The Man” Currington is back in fighting form with a mission that takes him four thousand miles south of BKI headquarters, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. He’s hot on the trail of a rogue CIA agent selling classified government secrets to the highest bidder, when Penni DePaul arrives on the scene. Suddenly the stakes are higher, and keeping Penni safe becomes Dan’s number one priority.

And this time she’s ready

A lot has changed since former Secret Service Agent Penni DePaul last saw Dan. Now a civilian, she’s excited about what the future might hold. But before she can grab onto that future with both hands, she has to tie up some loose ends-namely, Dan Currington, the man she just can’t forget. And a secret that’s going to change both their lives-if they can stay alive, that is.

image

Reading this Black Knights Inc. novel was like visiting a favorite friend. The groups lighthearted bantering is so much fun, especially amidst the chaos of battle. I was happy to see that Dan as emerged from his depression and was a big part of that camaraderie. Penni? I liked her right off and enjoyed the chemistry between the two. They didn’t fight their connection to each other even though outside forces sure threw a few curve-balls. And as always the dangerous action had a new edge that I always appreciate from Ms. Walker and combining it with the hot romance made another winner for me. I loved it.

*Review copy provided by Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

image

IMG_3308

Kindle $4.61: http://amzn.to/1MIo96X
Amazon PBK $6.79: http://amzn.to/1NEBVby
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1Q5vXyc
iBooks: http://apple.co/1RfS4En
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1V4nwaF

image

TRY BOOK 1 FOR FREE

✦1. HELL ON WHEELS ➢ Kindle | Kobo | iBooks | B&N Not Free
✦2. IN RIDES TROUBLE ➢ http://amzn.to/16JSnNI
✦3. REV IT UP ➢ http://amzn.to/Hm99NR
✦4. THRILL RIDE ➢ http://amzn.to/16JSwAJ
✦5. BORN WILD ➢ http://amzn.to/Hm8rQH
✦6. HELL FOR LEATHER ➢ http://amzn.to/1IbZsOW | Review 5 Stars: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1eE
✦7. FULL THROTTLE ➢ http://amzn.to/1U1oh3M | Review 5 Stars #TopFav2014
✦8. TOO HARD TO HANDLE ➢ http://amzn.to/1MIo96X

******

image

Signed Set of Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights, Inc. Series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

image

imageJulie Ann Walker is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling Author of the Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She’ll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk. You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.

Social Networking Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

******

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Deep Night (Denver Heroes, Book 3) by Kathy Clark

image

Deep Night (Denver Heroes, Book 3)
by Kathy Clark

Publication Date: August 18, 2015

IMG_3306
imageSure to thrill readers of Nora Roberts and Karen Robards, the breathtaking Denver Heroes series from New York Times bestselling author Kathy Clark continues as two adrenaline junkies find themselves fighting unexpected passion—and unspeakable terror.

Ex-soldier Chris Wilson lost too many friends to war. Back home in Denver, he’s trying to make a difference as a paramedic, treating victims of crisis situations. Not even active combat could prepare Chris for the rush he gets when violence and tragedy collide, but the job isn’t the only thing making his heart race. His partner is his closest confidant from childhood, and the girl he remembers is now a strong, sensual woman . . . who needs him more than ever.

Sara Richards is more comfortable risking her life than asking for help. The petite blonde medic put a wall around her heart long ago, vowing to never let anyone hurt her again. Only now her long-buried secrets threaten to destroy everything she’s built. And though she should be able to trust Chris, his smoldering blue-gray eyes ignite desires that feel more dangerous than whatever’s lurking in the shadows. For once, Sara can’t go it alone. But Chris might just be stubborn enough to stand by her side as she faces down her worst nightmare.

Link to Follow Tour

Goodreads Link

Goodreads Series Link

IMG_3307-0

“Auto versus building at the 7-Eleven at 2341 East Colfax, driver unconscious, unknown medical, reported multiple injuries. Sending fire and medical.”
Chris stuffed the rest of a double bacon cheeseburger into his mouth, wadded up his trash and tossed it in the fast-food bag on the floor. He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street. His partner, Sara, grimaced as she snapped the lid closed on her salad.
“You’re going to kill yourself if you keep eating like that,” she told him.
“Thank God I know a paramedic who’ll save my life.” He flashed her a crooked grin. Death by cheeseburger wasn’t something he worried about. The whole time he’d been in Afghanistan, all he could think about was a juicy cheeseburger so big it would barely fit into his mouth, and now that he was back, he didn’t deny himself the pleasure.
“I’m not a miracle worker.” As she spoke, she reached for the radio in anticipation of the call.
“Then why the hell am I riding with you?” he teased.
“Ambulance 25, come back with location,” the dispatcher’s voice filled the cab.
“East 23rd and York and heading toward Colfax,” Sara said into the microphone.
“Need you on a code 10 at 2341 East Colfax, vehicle versus building, injuries unknown. Could be multiples.”
“Copy.” Sara hooked the microphone back on its clip and flipped the switches to turn on the lights and siren. A code 10 was considered an emergency call, which meant they needed to get there as fast as safely possible.
As usual, the drivers in front of them went through various stages of panic as they tried to get out of the way. Some moved right, some tried to merge into the outside lane, while still others simply stopped in the middle of the road. Chris skillfully maneuvered the ambulance through the urban labyrinth. Traffic was surprisingly heavy for eleven on a Wednesday night.
“Did the Rockies game run late?” he asked, driving up on the curb to get around a line of cars. As they approached the intersection, the Opticom sensor picked up the ambulance’s signal and switched the traffic light to green. Chris cautiously checked to make sure everyone in the opposing lanes was paying attention, then turned through the intersection and headed toward Colfax.
“Don’t know, but maybe that’s a good sign. They’ve been playing like Little Leaguers so far this year.” Sara kept a wary eye on the traffic, too. Tonight was Chris’s turn to drive, but that didn’t mean she would relax and let her guard down. As field instructor, she was the senior medic, so everything he did was her responsibility.
“Remember the video game Frogger?” he asked, crossing two lanes to get to an opening.
“Watch out for that car!”
Chris slammed on the brakes, stopping just inches from a black Camaro that had run the red light.
“Fucker,” Sara muttered.
“Language, girl,” Chris reprimanded with a smile. “Your mother would wash your mouth out for words like that.”
“Fuck you,” she snapped back. But even in the darkness of the cab, he could see the twinkle in her eyes. Their relationship went much farther back than the six months they had spent together in the cab of this ambulance.
Their families had been next-door neighbors for most of their childhood, although Sara was two years younger than the youngest Wilson boy. Back then, Chris thought she was an annoying little girl who followed them around the neighborhood. Now she was his boss.
Chris turned into an alley, pulled up next to the 7-Eleven and parked behind two police cruisers. A fire truck and two more police cars were in front of the building.
“Showtime!” Sara exclaimed as she unfastened her seat belt and exited the ambulance almost before it came to a complete stop. She opened the back doors, grabbed her medical kit and jogged toward the wrecked vehicle.
Chris jumped out the driver’s side, got the stretcher out of the back and hurried to catch up with her. For a short woman, she could really cover a lot of ground quickly. He saw his brother Sam standing next to a late-model Expedition that was stopped almost completely inside the store. Sara was kneeling on the ground and taking over CPR on the driver.
“What happened?” Chris asked.
Sam, who worked for the Denver Police Department, shook his head and answered with typical cop dark humor, “Probably in a hurry to pick up his beer . . . until he realized they didn’t have a drive-through.”
“Anyone hurt in there?”
“Looks like it. Fire department beat you here . . . again.”
“Yeah, well, they’re better drivers than medics. I’d better take over before they kill someone.” Chris ducked under the yellow tape that marked the boundaries of the scene and headed inside. He glanced at Sara, who was working on the driver. “Need any help?”
Before they had arrived, two firefighters had pulled the man out of his car and were administering CPR. “I’ll take this one,” she said as she ripped open a sterilized intubation packet. There were all sorts of injury-specific packages included in their kit, which made it easy to treat patients. “Check inside for patients.”
By the looks of the scene, the driver must have passed out or was in the throes of a heart attack when he pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The big SUV had jumped the curb and plowed through a paneled plate-glass window, sending a shower of glass all over the store. He’d taken out a short brick wall and continued inside until a six-foot-tall shelf of soda and water bottles stopped his forward progress.

******

imageKindle | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

​IMG_3312-0

 (Loveswept & Flirt Mugs and a Select Ebook Bundle)

One Loveswept Mug
One Flirt Mug
Ebook copies of:
JUST A LITTLE CRUSH by Renita Pizzitola
CRUSHED by Lauren Layne
AGAINST THE CAGE by Sidney Halston
POSSESS by Laura Marie Altom
AFTER MIDNIGHT by Kathy Clark
MAKE YOU BURN by Megan Crane
MY HIGHLAND LOVER by Maeve Greyson
BREAKING NOAH by Missy Johnson and Ashley Suzanne
A FASHIONABLE INDULGENCE by K.J. Charles
FORBIDDEN by Jacquelyn Frank

a Rafflecopter giveaway

imageimageKathy Clark is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels have sold more than three million copies in eleven languages. Her plot lines have always championed women’s empowerment, placing strong female characters in real-life situations. Her stories will make you laugh and cry, and her characters will live in your heart forever. She lives with her husband and co-author, Bob Wernly.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: SCANDAL NEVER SLEEPS (The Perfect Gentlemen, Book 1) by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

image

SCANDAL NEVER SLEEPS
(The Perfect Gentlemen, Book 1)
by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

Publication Date: August 18, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense

IMG_3306

imageThey are the Perfect Gentlemen of Creighton Academy: privileged, wealthy, powerful friends with a wild side. But a deadly scandal is about to tear down their seemingly ideal lives…

Maddox Crawford’s sudden death sends Gabriel Bond reeling. Not only is he burying his best friend, he’s cleaning up Mad’s messes, including his troubled company. Grieving and restless, Gabe escapes his worries in the arms of a beautiful stranger. But his mind-blowing one-night stand is about to come back to haunt him…

Mad groomed Everly Parker to be a rising star in the executive world. Now that he’s gone, she’s sure her job will be the next thing she mourns, especially after she ends up accidentally sleeping with her new boss. If only their night together hadn’t been so incendiary—or Gabe like a fantasy come true…

As Gabe and Everly struggle to control the heated tension between them, they discover evidence that Mad’s death was no accident. Now they must bank their smoldering passions to hunt down a murderer—because Mad had secrets that someone was willing to kill for, and Gabe or Everly could be the next target…

* * * *

image

I’m hooked! Scandal Never Sleeps had everything I look for in great story! It was a sexy thrill ride with a mystery that kept me guessing. Scandal Never Sleeps is the first book in Shayla Black and Lexi Blake’s new series The Perfect Gentlemen. The series will feature a group of powerful men than met in boarding school. I love the characters and  I’m excited about all the possibilities for the future books in this series.  I can’t wait to read each Perfect Gentlemen’s story. In this first book, Scandal Never Sleep, Gabriel Bond and Everly heat up the pages and work together to uncover a mystery. I recommend this book for romantic suspense lovers that want a hot love story with the mystery. This series is a new favorite and I’ll be stalking the next release!

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review. 

IMG_3307

“What are your plans tonight, Eve?”
That was a loaded question. Her current plan included going to a lonely apartment where she could worry about her future and try to figure out if someone had murdered her friend. She could be alone with her fear and doubt . . . but she didn’t really want to. “I was getting ready to leave. What about you?”
“So was I. I thought I’d get some dinner before I called it a night. I don’t think the food here is going to be any good. Giovanni’s is one block over. Italian might be nice. I can promise you won’t have any trouble getting a glass of wine there.”
“You’re asking me out?” It was a little surreal. She saw much more attractive women still in the bar. Why had he chosen her? Maybe he liked a curvier girl. Some guys did.
His face settled into a polite mask. “I don’t know that I would call it a date.”
“What would you call it, then?”
He stepped closer, into her personal space. “Eve, I want to be honest with you.”
Eve. She wasn’t Everly to Gabriel. Which meant that he didn’t expect her to be a good, polite girl. She didn’t have to be shy about what she wanted.
She stood a bit taller and met his beautiful blue eyes. She could see the five‑o’clock shadow darkening his jaw and wondered what it would feel like to brush her fingertips over his face, to run her thumb across that full bottom lip of his. “Honesty is good.”
She wasn’t being entirely honest with him, but it didn’t matter. They were sharing a moment out of time. She wouldn’t see him again. She didn’t even know his last name.
“I’m looking for an escape tonight. I can find it in the bottom of a bottle or I can take you out of here and try to make us both feel good. Why don’t you let me buy you dinner and plead my case?”
He was asking her to sleep with him. A one-night stand. She’d never had one. She’d slept with two men in her whole life, and they’d both been her boyfriends. Sex had been all right, but something about the look in Gabriel’s eyes told her this would be far better.
He wanted to escape. She wasn’t sure from what, but she glimpsed a world of worries and sorrow in his expression that drew her. She understood loss and longing. She knew what it meant to need a few hours of escape. Hadn’t she been wanting that herself?
A single memory pierced her in that moment. Two days before he died, Maddox had shaken his head over her nonexistent dating life. He’d tried to persuade her to let him set her up on a blind date, but she’d said she didn’t have time. She’d needed to get some reports done and go through the purchase orders on the new hard drives and security systems. He’d rolled those piercing eyes of his.
You need to live a little. Your whole life can’t be spent behind a computer screen. Life is often about taking risks. Sometimes you have to leave yourself to figure out who you really are.
She didn’t have to be herself. Not tonight.
“Kiss me.” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She was never bold or brazen when it came to men. She’d never demanded anything sexually of a lover, but she wanted Gabriel to kiss her. She wanted to see if that spark she felt translated to something truly physical.
She expected some discussion, and when he hesitated, she was more than willing to admit that she’d been hasty. Everly was about to shake her head and try to laugh the incident off when he cupped her face and his body brushed hers. He tilted her head up and his mouth descended.
Soft. His lips were soft on hers. Gentle. He moved with predatory grace. His fingers sank into her hair, and her hands seemed to naturally find the lean muscles at his waist. Even through his crisp dress shirt, she could feel the heat of his body. It practically poured off him and into her, warming her skin and making her come to life.
He was gentle, but Everly knew precisely who was in charge. His lips locked onto hers, leading her. A little tug on her hair told her which way he wanted her to move.
Everything about him—scent,taste, feel—made her melt. She forgot where she was, forgot that they were in public. The noise of the bar receded until all she could hear was her own heart beating furiously in her ears. Nothing mattered at all but the feel of his body under her hands, the masterful way he moved her.
“Is that what you wanted, Eve?” He breathed the words against her mouth. “You wanted to see if I can kiss? I can give you more. I don’t simply want to kiss your lips. I want to strip you down and find out if you’re as sweet and soft everywhere as you look. I want to run my tongue over your skin until I memorize how you taste. I want to kiss you so long and hard that you’ll forget you were ever kissed before.” He lifted his head up and dragged in a breath. “So what do you say? Will you have dinner with me?”
She swallowed. His words made everything but her need fall away. “It’s not dinner I’m interested in anymore.”

Posted by arrangement with Berkley Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Shelley Bradley, LLC and DLZ Entertainment LLC, 2015.

 

image

IMG_3308

Kindle $9.99 http://amzn.to/1JcuMz4
Amazon PBK $12 http://amzn.to/1EmUXvy
B&N (PBK $12/ Nook $9.99) http://bit.ly/1N9T5NX
Kobo $9.99 http://bit.ly/1J3Ha2o
iBooks $9.99 http://apple.co/1f7Bok6

IMG_3312-0

a Rafflecopter giveaway

image

imageShayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal and historical romances. Shayla has received or been nominated for the Passionate Plume, the Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and the National Readers Choice Award. She lives in Texas with her family. Visit her online at shaylablack.com, facebook.com/ShaylaBlackAuthor

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi lives in North Texas with her family. Visit her online at LexiBlack.net.

*******

Spotlight, Guest Post & Giveaway: Hot Point (Firehawks Series) by M.L. Buchman

image

image

Mount Hood Aviation Profile

imageFull Name: Vern Taylor
Occupation: Firehawk pilot
Height: 6’
Hair Color: dark brown
Eye Color: dark brown
Age: 29
Originally from: Vashon Island, Washington

Describe yourself in 100 words or less:
Not much to describe really. I like helicopters. Old Yuri taught me in his little Bell 47 Angel of Mercy back when I was kid and I never really stopped. Moved on to the Augusta Westland with the Coast Guard. Did three tours for them and now four years flying to fire. People all the time ask me why I do something so dangerous. It’s not dangerous, I tell them. You fly careful, you fly clean, have an ace mechanic and let life bring whatever she’s going to bring. Seems pretty easy to me.

What is the hardest part of your job? What is the most rewarding?
Hardest part of the job is staying on your toes. Whether it’s a USCG patrol or a wildfire, the hours are never short. Keeping your focus in back-to-back-to-back sixteen-hour days, that’s what the job is about. But the payoff is huge. When I fly over someone’s farm and I look down to see that their house or their barn or even their town is still standing because of something I did, well that’s a sweet feeling.

When not working, how do you spend your time?
Never really was good at much other than flying. I bought a sweet car, a ‘Vette—my girl is bronze-colored. Sometimes we’ll cruise to the bar because the old, “I fly helicopters to wildfire,” sure sweeps pretty tourist girls off their feet. But more often, I’ll go out on the back country roads. Not even fast. Just roll down the window, put on a little Buffet or Clapton, and let the world roll by.

If money was no object and you had 3 weeks of vacation what would you do with your time?
Don’t know as the money would make any real difference. But the vacation is easy. An interesting lady, a nice place in the country, a little peace, and a lot of time. I should mention a strong preference that they serve truly exceptional coffee.

image

Title: Hot Point
Author: M.L. Buchman
Series: Firehawks, Book 3
Publication Date: August 4, 2015

image

imageTHESE AIRBORNE HEROES BATTLE MORE THAN FLAMES

The elite firefighters of Mount Hood Aviation fly into places even the CIA can’t penetrate.

FROM WILDFIRE TO GUNFIRE

Master mechanic Denise Conroy-with a reputation for being as steel-clad as the aircraft she keeps aloft-shuns useless flyboys who don’t know one end of a wrench from the other.

Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor-known for unstoppable charm and a complete lack of mechanical skills-proves his talent for out-of-the-box thinking with every flight. He’s a survivor and a natural-born heli-aviation firefighter.

When Denise and Vern crash together in the Central American jungle with wildfire on one side and a full-fledged military coup on the other, their newly forged partnership is tested to the max. They have each other, but not even their formidable skills combined can protect Denise and Vern from the conflagration sweeping the jungle…and their hearts.

image Kindle $6.15 http://amzn.to/1IdGQwc
Amazon PBK $7.99 http://amzn.to/1MENXRE
B&N (PBK $7.99/ Nook $7.49) http://bit.ly/1STP3Zo
Kobo $7.99 http://bit.ly/1VVFoFY
Apple: http://apple.co/1Cpx0Iq
BAM: http://bit.ly/1J579lV
Chapters: http://bit.ly/1HhSPWa
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1D1MRYp

FIREHAWKS SERIES INFORMATION 

IMG_3312

5 copies of Pure Heat, the first book in the Firehawks series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****

image imageM. L. Buchman has over 35 novels and an ever-expanding flock of short stories in print. His military romantic suspense books have been named Barnes & Noble and NPR “Top 5 of the year,” Booklist “Top 10 of the Year,” and RT “Top 10 Romantic Suspense of the Year.” In addition to romantic suspense, he also writes contemporaries, thrillers, and fantasy and science fiction.

In among his career as a corporate project manager he has: rebuilt and single-handed a fifty-foot sailboat, both flown and jumped out of airplanes, designed and built two houses, and bicycled solo around the world.

He is now a full-time writer, living on the Oregon Coast with his beloved wife. He is constantly amazed at what you can do with a degree in Geophysics. You may keep up with his writing at http://www.mlbuchman.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube

Spotlight, Review & Excerpt: Strong Enough (Tall, Dark and Dangerous) by M. Leighton

image

Strong Enough (Tall, Dark and Dangerous) by M. Leighton

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: August 4, 2015

image

imageFrom the author of the New York Times bestselling Bad Boys novels comes the first in a dark, sexy contemporary trilogy.

Is she strong enough to trust the most dangerous man she’s ever met? And is he strong enough to let her?

How would I describe myself? Well, I’m Muse Harper. I’m a twenty-something painter who loves red wine, quirky movies, and men with a fatal flaw. But that was before I met Jasper King. He became my fatal flaw. Eight months ago, I had a choice to make—abandon everything I’ve ever known to protect my family, or stay and risk someone getting hurt. I chose the former. My plan was working just fine until I found out my father had gone missing.

That’s when I met Jasper. A bounty hunter with the eyes of a tiger and the nose of a bloodhound, he was supposed to help me find my father. What I didn’t know was that meeting him was no accident. Hunting people isn’t all that Jasper does. And helping me was only part of his plan. I just wish I’d found out sooner, before my heart got involved. But even then, I don’t know if I’d have done things differently.

Now, I have another choice to make—trust the man that I’m falling in love with and hope that he’ll do the right thing, or run as far away from him as I can get.

image

I loved this book! I’m obsessed with Jasper and I’m obsessed with the rest of the special ops guys that will be getting their own books later. Strong Enough is the first book in this series and with the series title alone it grabbed my attention. Tall, Dark and Dangerous? Yes, please! Strong Enough starts off with a bang. M. Leighton will rip your heart out, shred it and then sew it back up and hand it back to you all repaired by the end of the book. Jasper and Muse’s book is an emotional, beautiful and scorching hot love story. It’ll be one of my top favorites of 2015. This is a standalone book and each book in the Tall, Dark and Dangerous series will be about a different member of a special ops team. I recommend you grab a copy of Strong Enough and fall in love with Jasper. I’ll be stalking the next book in the series!

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

image

image I watch her lush lips part, her breathing already shallow. She’s off-kilter. Just the way I like. “Are you Tracey’s friend?” she asks, finding a coherent thought and clinging to it.
“I am,” I reply, reaching around her to lay the pencil on the desk. The action brings my face to within an inch of hers and our arms brush. I hear the soft gasp of her inhalation.
“Why didn’t you just tell me? You didn’t have to pretend to be a customer.”
Anger. It rushes in to clear away the cobwebs. I can see it in the way her sleepy green eyes start to flash like two fiery emeralds.
“I wanted a few minutes alone with you before you went on guard. Like you are now.”
“Why? Am I being interviewed or something? I thought I was the one hiring you.”
“You are. But I like to know who I’m working for when I take a job like this.”
While the look on her face says she doesn’t approve of my tactic, she’s too curious to let it go. “And?”
“And what?”
“And what did you find out? What do you think you figured out about me in ten minutes of silence?”
I hold her gaze for long, quiet seconds before I speak. I sense how uncomfortable it wmakes her. I’m used to it. Such directness makes most people uncomfortable, but that doesn’t stop me. Keeping others off balance is always a benefit to me. “I don’t need to interrogate you to learn things about you. Being with you is enough.”
“Yeah, right,” she scoffs, trying for casual.
“For instance, you’re a hard worker who takes her job seriously, even though I don’t think it’s really the job you want to be working. You’re good at this, but you’re not quite at home here, which tells me that this isn’t permanent. You looked sad and distracted when I came in, like you might be missing someone. Maybe that is where home is. And then there’s the fact that you’re trying to hire me. I’d say that accounts for the worried frown I keep seeing between your eyebrows.”
Her mouth drops open for a few seconds before she snaps it shut. “Is that all?” she asks sarcastically, pulling her vest tighter around her middle like she feels naked. I’m used to that, too. No one likes to feel exposed, like their secrets aren’t theirs to keep anymore.
“No, that’s not all, but I doubt you want to hear the rest.”
She eyes me warily for a few seconds before she raises her chin, eyes locked bravely onto mine. “Of course I do.”
She’s courageous. Ballsy. I like that.
“Well, just off hand you have a good eye for color, which makes me think you’re artistic. Artists are usually very . . . emotional. I’d say that when you’re not consumed with concern you have a tendency to throw yourself into the way you feel regardless of potential outcomes.”
“You can’t possibly know that.”
“I can. And I do. Just like I know you wash your hair in something that contains lilac.” Her eyes widen, but she says nothing so I continue, leaning in ever so slightly. “And then there’s the fact that you’re attracted to me. You don’t want to be. You probably even think that you shouldn’t be, but that’s like catnip for you, isn’t it?”

image

Kindle | Amazon PBK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Goodreads Link

image

image

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

If you’d like to know more about me…like MUCH more…like more than you’d ever really want to know…you can read my story here.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter

image

Review: Without Restraint (Southern Shields) by Angela Knight

image

Without Restraint (Southern Shields) by Angela Knight

Publication Date: August 4, 2015

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Erotica

image

The first novel in the explosive new Southern Shield series from New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight explores the intoxicating games between a female cop and a Navy SEAL—and the killer instincts of a secret enemy watching every move they make.

Atlanta deputy Alexis Rogers and Navy SEAL Frank Murphy know all about power and restraint, necessary force, and pushing their limits. When they meet in the darkness of a BDSM club, their skills are put to use. With each successive night comes a new adrenaline rush, and while they’re falling into something perilously close to love, their games are still too private, too extreme, and too daring ever to be exposed.

But their intimate lives are upended when a fellow deputy of Alex’s is killed. It’s not a tragic hazard of the job. It’s cold-blooded murder. And he’s not the last to be taken out. Now Alex and Frank have found themselves more vulnerable than ever—and exposed to a killer with a twisted vendetta who turns desire into the most dangerous sensation of all.

imageThis novel hit all the checkmarks for me; romance, hot sex and explosive danger. The best part was that nothing overshadowed the other and it all flowed believably throughout the book. I liked Alex and Frank right away and their chemistry was a foregone conclusion. The BDSM was not too hard for the casual reader and I liked the imaginative interplay between the two. That made it fun and slightly different than the usual BDSM novels. The murder mystery and danger was a real page turner as well with a bad guy you love to hate. A very fun book that has me excited for the next installment in the series.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

image

image

Alex drove down the bumping, rutted track as it curved through the trees, the Dom right on her tailpipe. Finally he flashed his headlights at her again. She stopped and threw her car into Park. They were well into the woods, thoroughly screened from the road.

“Why, Officah,” Alex purred aloud in her best Scarlett O’Hara drawl, “whatevah do you have in mind?”

She rolled down her driver’s side window as he swaggered up to the car. Big, brawny, and black-clad-her fantasy Bad Cop come to glorious life. He even wore a pair of mirrored aviator sunglasses and a menacing scowl. “Get out of the car, please.”

Her panties were already soaked, and he hadn’t even started yet.

Alex put on her best Don’t give me a ticket, I’ll do anything expression. “But, sir, I wasn’t speeding.”

“I didn’t say you were,” he told her coldly. “Get out of the car.”

She gave him big, worried eyes as she obeyed, closing the car door as softly as she could to keep the sound from carrying to his neighbors. “I don’t understand. I haven’t done anything!”

“Quit trying to play me, lady. There’s a warrant out for your arrest.” Grabbing her wrist, he dragged her to the trunk of her car, then spun her around so her back was to him. “It says you’re armed and dangerous.” He pulled her little .38 from the pancake holster on her belt, and displayed it with a threatening flourish. “And look here-you are.”

Alex swallowed. Had he been anybody else, she might have broken out into the giggles right about then. But this was Frank. Something about him made this silly fantasy scenario feel a lot more real than it should have. “I can explain.”

“I’m sure you can.” His voice hardened. “Hands on the trunk, feet apart.”

Before she could obey, he planted his palm between her shoulder blades and forced her to bend over as he kicked her feet wide. “I said, hands on the trunk, feet apart!” Automatically, she caught herself on her palms.

He started searching her. Never mind that no male cop ever searched a female suspect if he could avoid it; that was why there were female cops. And this was why they had that rule.

What Frank did wasn’t a crude grope-he understood the fantasy too well for that. Instead, he ran his hand down her body in twin slow caresses. Until he reached the curves of her ass.

Pausing, Frank cupped the sensitive flesh through her jeans, squeezing gently, with just enough force to arouse. Breathless, Alex waited for him to circle around between her legs.

He sank to his haunches to continue the search down her legs in that same lazy way. Instead of guns, knives, or drugs, Frank’s clever fingers sought bundles of nerves she hadn’t even known she had. And made them fire messages of lust and arousal and pleasure until it was all she could do not to writhe.

Regaining his feet, Frank swept his palms around her rib cage to the underside of her breasts. He slid his hands up and around, dragging her bra out of the way, baring the curve of her breasts for his cupping palms, exposing her nipples to plucking fingers. The raw delight of the contact was so intense, it seemed to sting. She moaned, unable to bite the sound back.

“Like that, do you?” he growled, ducking his head down until he could speak in her ear.
“Let’s find out how much.”

image

Kindle $5.99 | Amazon PBK | B&N $7.99

image
imageAngela Knight is the New York Times bestselling author of books for Berkley, Red Sage, Changeling Press, and Loose Id. Her first book was written in pencil and illustrated in crayon; she was nine years old at the time. A few years later, she read The Wolf and the Dove and fell in love with romance. Besides her fiction work, Angela’s publishing career includes a stint as a comic book writer and ten years as a newspaper reporter. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name.

In 1996, she discovered the small press publisher Red Sage, and realized her dream of romance publication in the company’s Secrets 2 anthology. She went on to publish several more novellas in Secrets before editor Cindy Hwang discovered her work there and asked her if she’d be interested in writing for Berkley. Not being an idiot, Angela said yes.

Whatever success she has enjoyed, she attributes to the marvelous editors she’s had over the years. David Anthony Kraft and Dwight Zimmerman at Comics Interview taught her the nuts and bolts of fiction writing. Alexandria Kendall of Red Sage discovered her talent for romance writing and encouraged her to believe in herself. And she will be forever grateful to Berkley editor Cindy Hwang, who has been unfailingly supportive.

Angela lives in South Carolina with her husband, Michael, a polygraph examiner and hostage negotiator for the county’s Sheriff’s Office. The couple have a grown son, Anthony.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Books

Review: Fatal Pursuit (The Aegis Series) by Elisabeth Naughton

image

Fatal Pursuit (The Aegis Series, Book 3) by Elisabeth Naughton

Genre: Romantic Suspense / Thriller

Release Date: July 28, 2015

image

image

Five years ago, Aegis Security op manager Marley Addison’s lover died in a South American raid gone horribly wrong…or so she thought. When she receives a phone call telling her that he is still very much alive and in danger, she vows to bring him home safely, even if Aegis CEO and former Navy SEAL Jake Ryder has kept her out of the field for the last few years. Then Jake shows up in Colombia to help her, leaving Marley annoyed…and more than a little distracted by her alarmingly handsome boss.

As things between Marley and Jake heat up in the wilderness, they discover their rescue mission is filled with treachery. Now the domineering Jake has to rely on Marley for survival. But can she depend on him when their mission takes a shocking and deadly turn?

image

I dove into this story right away and loved Marley’s attitude and personality. The action flowed well with some real twists and turns. One part was a little improbable but that was part of the enjoyment and the catalyst to the hot and steamy romance with Jake. If you’ve read my reviews then you know I don’t care for long drawn out “I want you, I don’t want you” stuff and this book carried that through the whole thing. It got on my nerves but not enough to quit reading. I just had to find out what happened. I am looking forward to the next in this series.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

image

Kindle $3.99 | Amazon PBK $6.72 | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Amazon Series Link

Aegis Security Series Information 

image

image

imageBefore topping multiple bestseller lists—including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal—Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A voracious reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Besides topping bestseller lists, her books have been nominated for some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads